Hes got the puck handling, playmaking vision, and skating to be a top-four defender that excels on the power play at the NHL in the near future. In fact, dont be surprised if he is a graduate of this list by mid-season of 2022-23. Many people thought that Kasper had limited offensive potential but would be a great two-way center in the middle six of a good NHL team one day. While his lack of size at 5-foot-8 will always attract the doubters, his shiftiness and playmaking are more than enough to overcome that supposed weakness. He has made his pro debut in 2022-23 for the AHLs Silver Knights where he leads all defenders in scoring at the time of writing. He always has the opposition on their heels thinking what hes going to do next as hes unpredictable with his decision-making. His ability to anticipate and shut down plays in the defensive zone before breaking the puck out and taking it on the rush will make him a useful NHL player in the near future. The 2021 IIHF World Junior Championships will be held in Edmonton starting Dec. 25, 2020, and concluding with the Gold Medal game on Jan. 5, 2021. At the time of writing, he has the third-highest points per game rate of all AHL defensemen who have played 10 or more games. Nyman is a big Finnish winger with the size and strength to compete against men in Liiga (the top Finnish pro league) without looking out of place. If the Hurricanes are able to convince him to come to play for them in the 2025-26 season, he appears to be a very safe bet to be a top-four defender immediately upon arrival. to view this content, NHL Best Defenseman (Norris Trophy) Finalist, NHL Contribution to U.S. Hockey (Lester Patrick Trophy), NHL Gentleman Conduct (Lady Byng Trophy) Finalist, NHL Leadership-Humanitarian Award (King Clancy Trophy), NHL Most Valuable Player (Hart Trophy) Finalist, NHL MVP Selected by NHLPA (Ted Lindsay Award), NHL Rookie of the Year (Calder Trophy) Finalist, NHL Sportsmanship Award (Bill Masterton Trophy), NHL Sportsmanship Award (Bill Masterton Trophy) Finalist, NHL Top Defensive Forward (Frank J. Selke Trophy), NHL Top Defensive Forward (Selke Trophy) Finalist, Shoulder injury, expected to miss rest of the regular season, Torn Achilles tendon, expected back mid-season, Shoulder injury (expected to miss 22-23 season), Undisclosed injury, (expected to miss season), Lower body injury, expected back late March, Lower body injury, expected back mid-April, Shoulder surgery (expected to be back April), Hip injury, expected to miss the entire 22/23 season. Nemec's strength is his skating and his hockey sense. The success he had last season is going to be essential for his development going forward. He is smart, skates well, wins faceoffs, back-checks hard, and has already begun to grow into more of his offensive potential. "I don't think you can let the stage influence your assessment too much, but there's still information you can gather there," one NHL scout told Bleacher Report. I stand by that as hes just continued to prove to me that hes capable of greatness in the NHL one day. DL. However, this year is a different story as Bystedt has shown more offensive skill this year and was rewarded with a larger role on the team which in turn turned into more offensive production. Brad Lambert is one of the least predictable NHL prospects, alternating between games where he looks like a sure-fire top-six centreman and games where you are left frustrated with his apparent lack of effort. That, in combination with his staunch defensive efforts, makes Montral's drafting him in the second round last summer more logical than it first appeared. The 21-year-old, who was a top international prospect in the 2017 class, slashed .283/.341/.504 with five homers and 13 RBI in 29 games for Somerset last season. LH, Ever since missing the 2020-21 OHL season to the pandemic, Amadeus Lombardi has shown NHL-caliber puck skills and speed, leading to him being drafted by the Red Wings in the 2022 Draft, 113thoverall. William Eklund began his 2021-22 campaign in the NHL but was sent down after the nine-game cutoff. Now with the Minnesota Wild aftera trade involving Kevin Fiala, the Minnesota native will compete for a job in his backyard rather than across the country. The Red Wings will conclude their NHL Prospect Tournament slate Monday at 11 a.m. against the Toronto Maple Leafs, but Detroit is focused on utilizing Sunday's practice to continue to improve. Brennan Othmann is a high-octane offensive force on the ice that is also known not to back down from the nastier parts of the game. MZ. His defensive game, which he is more known for, was about as good as any forward's in the tournament. While he hasnt posted eye-popping totals in the AHL over the last year and a half, he did show well for himself, never really looking out of place in his first taste of professional hockey. PB, Alexander Nikishin may have been higher on this list if it were clear whether he would ever come across to the NHL, as he recently re-signed with SKA-St. Petersburg of the KHL on a deal that will keep him in Russia at least until the end of the 2024-25 season. Nonetheless, he stole the show. The Toronto Maple Leafs have split two overtime games to open the tournament. And Snuggerud was dynamite for Team USA. The Regina Pats defenseman showed strong defensive abilities from the get-go. He scored 26 goals in 52 AHL games, and his play with the Utica Comets led to nine games with the Devils. Those that do are often goaltenders. DL, After authoring a middling season in the top professional Czechian league in his draft year, Svozil slipped into the third round of the 2021 NHL Draft where the Blue Jackets got an absolute steal. He is competitive and uses his size well against shorter and weaker Junior competition, and his playmaking from the perimeter on the power play is likely going to translate to the NHL someday. He is a two-way defender whose game is entirely predicated on his excellent four-way mobility which allows him to be active on both offense and defense. While it was fun to work on this ranking, it was also quite difficult, as some names that have been left off this list couldve certainly made their way on. Tweet from @DetroitRedWings: Tyutyayev's 1st of the tournament! If no results appear, use Enter to do a full site search. Now, it's time to be humble. MZ, Since being selected 23rdoverall in the 2022 Draft, Jimmy Snuggerud has proven to be an excellent choice for the St. Louis Blues. He definitely gave credibility to his potential as a future bottom-six NHL center. While the Giants werent strong as a whole, Lysell was a bright spot leading the team in scoring with 62 points in the regular season and followed that up with 21 points in the playoffs. MZ, In just his second full year in the WHL, Denton Mateychuk was named captain of the Moose Jaw Warriors. Considering he stands at just 5-foot-10, Lombardis skating, work ethic, and confidence will need to stay at this high of a level for him to crack an NHL lineup soon. Lombardi is also a confident player, successfully executing the Lacrosse move in a 3v3 game at Detroits prospect camp shortly after the 2022 Draft. When leading an attack showing great speed, edges, and confidence in his movement. The defenseman has not done anything special in Swedish hockey over the past few years; his junior league statistics were mediocre, and his one goal and five assists in depth minutes for second-tier Sdertlje don't indicate anything resembling a top prospect. The University of Minnesota forward sits with 12 goals and 16 assists in 22 games. A perennial battle with McDavid for the Art Ross Trophy looks close to inevitable. Related: Matvei Michkov The Best Russian Prospect Since Ovechkin, He is a very complete prospect who is a natural leader, shoots, well, and does just about everything else you could hope for from a first-round pick. The tournament involves the best young under-20. After a down year during his draft season, Aatu Raty surged back in a big way, recording 40 points in 41 games while playing in Finland. As it is, he still finished with 45 goals and 104 points, which was just one point back of King and eight points behind Bains. PB, Its impressive to see teenage players competing at the professional level against grown men, even just for a couple of games. LH, Filip Bystedt is another prospect who would likely rise up the 2022 Draft it was re-done today. Though it still wasnt enough. His skating and offensive instincts are absolutely remarkable, and he is third in OHL scoring (not just among defenders) at the time of writing. If you dont know about Stankoven yet, you will in short order. He hasnt played yet this season following offseason surgery, but look for him to bounce back next year with the Michigan Wolverines in the NCAA. The media rewarded Jansson by naming him to the tournament's all-star team, an honor he received over top prospects such as imon Nemec, Brandt Clarke, and Luke Hughes. Toggle navigation. Jansson is an unassuming 2022 fourth-round pick of the Florida Panthers. As a freshman in the NCAA last year, Mazur scored a remarkable 38 points in 41 games and went on to win the national championship with the University of Denver. DL. Gaucher is essentially the ideal third-line center who can contribute on offense while also providing a ton of defensive value at even strength and on the penalty kill so I love this pick for the Ducks. Now going into his third campaign in the OHL and second with the C on his chest, his hockey IQ, playmaking, and quick-strike offense will make him a formidable package with the Los Angeles Kings one day. It also doesnt hurt that hes a right-handed centre which is quickly becoming one of the hottest NHL commodities. PB, The speedy, highly competitive, and smart two-way centre remains a top prospect and one that many should look forward to when he makes it to the NHL. From the East Coast to the West Coast, prospects tournaments are a chance to watch some of the best up-and-comers from each organization. LH. In the early days of the Blackhawks rebuild, he shines as one of their most promising prospects. Related: WJC Needs to Stay at 10 Teams to Grow the Game, He rediscovered his ability to make things happen on the ice, and he now looks a lot closer to the prospect that was once considered a top-10 talent in last years draft class. Eventually, the tournament grew to include eight teams, each. Another player from the 2021 U.S. National Development Program increased his visibility. Sign up (free) or login to endorse a skill! Blackhawks vs. Sabres: Third Period Discussion . PB. WOMEN'S WORLD CHAMPIONS TAKING PART IN 2023 OJHL ALL-STAR CELEBRATION THIS WEEKEND. After a decent rookie season in the AHL playing for the Lehigh Valley Phantoms in 2020-21, he was dealt with a significantshoulder injurylast season. Hesgoing to be a big pieceof the Coyotes future. In difficult circumstances, Kapanen played a tournament worthy of respect. Either way, he has loads of potential and if his name isnt on the map yet, it will be soon. The NHL Prospects Tournament features five teams at Centre Ice Arena in Traverse City, Michigan, also from Thursday through Monday: the Columbus Blue Jackets, Dallas Stars, Detroit Red Wings,. DL. Part of the embarrassment of riches the Kings have going at center ice, Alex Turcotte transitioned perfectly to professional hockey in 2020-21. Good Tournament History. He also has great puck skills and can make great passes or dekes while at his remarkable top speed. Cross Hanas, Detroit's 55th overall selection in 2020, scored a breakaway goal to put the Red Wings up, 4-3, with 12:13 remaining. He has been great for the Utica Comets in the AHL over the last two and a half years, with his goalscoring ability really taking off this year. The NHL Prospect Tournament debuted in Traverse City in the fall of 1998, featuring four teams, each playing each other once. He's not going to become an intimidating presence at the point, but his calculated shots that utilize screens and make deflections possible will serve him well. He has the mobility and defensive game to make it as a top-four defenseman one day. It looks like Miroshnichenkos development is right back on track as the Russian sniper hopes to work his way up to the KHL before making the jump over to North America. Some had him ranked as a borderline first-round talent, yet he fell all the way to Columbus at 69th overall. MZ. LH. His combination of speed and size (6-foot-4) allowed him to dominate the top Swedish junior league in his draft year, but he still struggled enough with the pace of the pro game that he didnt show all that well in the SHL last year. Selected eighth overall in 2021, Clarke can take control of a shift or lead a rush chance whenever hes on the ice with his skating and speed. His highly skilled two-way game continues to be on display, with flashes of creativity with his hands and playmaking abilities. Nineteen players who played for the Red Wings last season played in the NHL Prospect Tournament. LH. LEAGUES Everything he does with or without the puck is outstanding and the Sharks are going to benefit greatly down the line. Another defenseman selected high in the 2022 Draft, David Jiricek like Simon Nemec could be ready for the NHL sooner rather than later. He beat goaltenders clean with his shot. Jiriceks skating looks back to normal after the knee injury he sustained at the canceled 2022 World Junior Championship, and he has been incredibly impressive in the AHL. LH, If you were to pin down the Oilers greatest wish right now, I think it might just be Matvei Petrov, and they snagged him in the sixth round of the 2021 NHL Draft. Hutson has the combo of incredible skating and high effort that gives shorter players (hes 5-foot-8 or 9 depending on where you check) a real chance to succeed at the NHL level. He recorded 29 points through 40 games, and he had his high hockey IQ on display throughout the season. Lucius perhaps didn't prove any major changes to his game, but he definitely improved his optics and emerged from the pack. A lack of observable offensive upside was the knock on the Czech defenseman's game. There, he recorded five points in four games and was one of Team Germanys best players when he arrived. LH, When I wroteSean Farrells draft profileback in 2020, I compared him to 40-goal scorer Alex DeBrincat, now of the Ottawa Senators. He was so impressive that NHL.comprojected him to starton the Edmonton Oilers top line alongside Connor McDavid and Evander Kane to begin the 2022-23 season. Founded in 2009, The Hockey Writers is a premier destination for news and information on everything hockey. LH, The only Russian to side-step the Russian Factor in the 2022 Draft was able to do so because he was already playing in North America. His two goals and one assist in five games don't do him justice. Neighbours is a very skilled and highly competitive playmaking winger. PB, Ville Koivunen is the type of player that brings a line together. I pumped my own tires for the 2021 draft picks who make me look good in hindsight. Hes extremely versatile offensively possessing great playmaking vision but also isnt afraid to shoot. Even though hes 5-foot-9, 180 pounds, he doesnt let that deter him in any, way, shape or form and hes always battling for possession of the puck. He has already scored over 100 career points in the WHL as a defenseman, which isnt all that common for defenders who are just a few months removed from being drafted. Rosen has the defensive effort and technique to be a solid two-way winger in the NHL one day, but will likely need to get just a bit stronger (or just a bit more clever) before he will be out-muscling or out-maneuvering NHL players with regularity. Lukas Cormier is a scorer and a facilitator on the blue line who has not been limited by his lack of size (5-foot-10). Ostlund is also a skilled puck handler with the speed and agility to make plays happen both on and off the puck. Blackhawks CHL, USHL prospect update for 1/16: First post-World Juniors report The Seattle Thunderbirds will be a team to watch for Blackhawks fans. He was the team leader in goals (34), assists (42) and points (76) for the Guelph Storm last season. The 21-year-old had a strong rookie season in the AHL, recording 62 points through 66 regular season games; he followed that up with seven points through 13 playoff games. Dumais has the work ethic to succeed at the pro level despite his size, but he will need to take another step forward in his skating if he wants to become the dynamic playmaking winger that he has the potential to become at the highest level. It might be enough to nudge him over the hill and earn him an NHL contract. NHL; NHL DRAFT; AHL; ECHL He is electric with the puck on his stick and displays the vision of a high-end playmaker. Despite the slow production to start the season, he finished top-10 in OHL scoring with 94 points. Hes a great playmaker and an even better shooter with his release and accuracy. Kapanen's display of individual offensive capabilities offers hope that he has enough skill that will translate to the NHL level. January 12, 2023, Mississauga, ON - The Ontario Junior Hockey League announced today the schedule of community events for this. LH, Its common for prospects to increase their draft stock significantly as their draft year goes on, but few jump up draft boards as quickly as Kevin Korchinski did in the final month or two of his draft season. PB, The Columbus Blue Jackets third first-round pick in 2021, Corson Ceulemans, is a highly mobile defender. Lombardi is a willing playmaker, able to slide pucks through tight lanes to open teammates. At the time of writing, he is tied for second in rookie scoring in the AHL. Here's a look at some of the top performers from prospects tournaments held across North America. The Bruins lack depth, but Lysell is one thatll have fans cheering for years to come. Stankoven registered three goals and eight assists for Canada, finishing fifth in the tournament by points. Thankfully, his treatment and recovery have been going well and he has returned to play this season. He is a dependable defenseman with decent offensive potential who has already been successful in the Swedish Hockey League (SHL) and the AHL, with the NHL still to go. Historically, this tournament is a good indicator of NHL participation. He carried the puck into the offensive zone, often beating defenders wide. He is big (6-foot-4), has a heavy slapshot, and skates remarkably well for someone of his size. PB, After playing in the top professional league in Slovakia for the two seasons leading up to the 2022 NHL Draft, it was hard to determine how Filip Mesar matched up against his peers since he has been playing against grown men for so long. Most prospects cant jump straight from the draft and into the AHL, but Kulich has been very successful for the Rochester Americans as an 18-year-old, demonstrating that his potential is sky-high. Foote has the size (6-foot-3) and strength to be an absolute bully in puck battles along the boards and has developed well in that regard during his time in the AHL. This year's tournament will feature five teams: the Columbus Blue Jackets, Toronto Maple Leafs, Dallas Stars, St. Louis Blues, and the host team Detroit Red Wings. He displays a smooth stride, great speed, leads the rush and is strong in breakout situations. Tweet from @DetroitRedWings: ELMER SODERBLOM! LH, The Seattle Kraken are putting in work trying to build a high-end prospect pool from scratch. With Patrik Laine already in place, Marchenko could learn from one of the best shooters in the NHL a scary thought for anybody that may be tasked with containing the Russian forward. He hasnt looked particularly out of place with the American Hockey Leagues (AHL) Syracuse Crunch and his remarkable mobility and speed have translated well. The Toronto Maple Leafs haven't yet released their tournament roster. There was a time when Joakim Kemell was seen as the second-best prospect in the 2022 Draft. Lucius had a good season at the University of Minnesota last season and is having a so-so first AHL season. "It's all about chemistry," said 2022 fourth-round pick Amadeus Lombardi. Jiricek was also named defenseman of the tournament at the 2023 World Juniors for his dominant two-way performance that culminated in a silver medal. The main reasons he has been so successful against larger and stronger competition are his phenomenal skating and his ability to make good decisions at a very high speed. He was an essential piece for the Shawinigan Cataractes as he helped lead them to a QMJHL Championship. Early returns are good as Mesar has looked excellent in the OHL this year and had a great showing for Slovakia at the recent World Junior Championship. He suited up for the Vancouver Giants in the WHL last season and he didnt disappoint when playing meaningful minutes. They barely prevailed over Czechia in the preliminary round, squeaked by a bad Finland team in the quarterfinals, and were outplayed by the Czechs in the semifinal. But yes, it is a major opportunity to see most of the world's top teenagers all on the ice at the same time. DL. He has proven himself to be a dominant offensive player in the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League (QMJHL), with incredible hands and playmaking ability. LH, Alexander Holtz certainly got New Jersey Devils fans excited last season. As good as Lindbom was, he was not the best goaltender of the tournament. Rutger McGroarty is a true power forward, strong and determined enough to win pucks and has great playmaking skills which allow him to make smart plays with the puck once he wins it. The potential remains as he had a decent freshman season with the University of Wisconsin with 22 points in 34 games, but hes still raw overall. Jonathan Mills. After posting only one goal and two points in 12 games in 2020-21 with Avangard Omsk in the Kontinental Hockey League (KHL), he broke out to the tune of 16 goals and 28 points in 39 games last season. Player Statistics Regular Season + Postseason Filter Leagues 2022-23 NHL stats powered by Default Per Game Average Coaches Played For Tournament Statistics Regular Season + Postseason Filter Leagues Game Log 2022-2023 All Opponents Filter Leagues Endorsements Jack Hughes has no endorsements yet. 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He wins puck battles and has great puck hands, but the biggest improvements he has made since his draft year are in his skating and ability to use his large frame to establish control of the puck.